What is SmartSpark?

SmartSpark is a 10-week startup program to introduce the key concepts of social entrepreneurship to people with the ambition of turning their innovative idea into a business that will tackle Cambodia’s biggest challenges. Each of the SmartSpark cohorts will focus on a different set of Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs). The aim is to help them turn creative ideas into viable businesses and innovative solutions!

What is the focus of this cohort?

This cohort was held under the theme, “Sustainable Cities, Job and Industries.” It was for young Cambodians with the drive and ambition to tackle SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

What were the SDGs?

How did it start?

SmartSpark Cohort 4 was launched in August  2019. The applications opened from August 2019- September 24, 2019. 


Watch the below video for the brief of SmartSpark Cohor4’s application

To launch the cohort, we organised a “ Youth with Impact” event joined by three amazing speakers who shared their innovation, expertise and experiences related to Sustainable Cities, Job and Industries.”

We also partnered with Slash Foundry to organise an ideation workshop under the topic, “Hacking Cambodian Talents Supply Chain!” as well. Five outstanding experts had come together to share about the current problems/issues related to the Cambodian Talents Supply Chain. Participants met like-minded people to hack our ways to improve it!

Finally, we have found five teams of aspiring entrepreneurs who completed the SmartSpark program and took onSDG13: Climate Action, SDG14: Life Below Water, and SDG15: Life on Land. 

SmartSpark Cohort 4's Teams

JumNeanh – ជំនាញ

A platform for Cambodian youth to learn valuable job skills related to their desired careers and connect them to internships and employment opportunities.

Sepak

An e-commerce website that connects Khmer handicraft producers with conscious consumers. 

Tinky Bike

Thinky Bike is a fashionable electric bike that won’t sacrifice the style and usability for its speed and quality.  Tinky Bike is bringing fun to your everyday ride. 

Unseentra

Unseentra is an online platform offering unique and authentic tourist activities and experiences in Cambodia.

INTRI Innovations

A brand communicator agency supporting SMEs with creative ideas to help solve their branding problems and grow their potential.

Pitching Night

The program finished with a final pitching event. Five teams pitched to an audience of 100+ people and our wonderful judges. It was one of the crowdest and fantastic moments at Impact Hub Phnom Penh space.

Congratulations to Tinky Bike, who was voted as the winning team and received $3,000 from Smart Axiata to kick start their business.

Program in Numbers

 7 selected team

5 teams pitched

 22 participants

52% Female

60% from PP

40% from outside PP

60% graduates

40% students

NPS Score: 82

Total video views: 53k+

Testimony/Quote!

“Smartspark is an eye-opener for me. I started from scratch, and in 3 months, with the support from great mentors, I can know the market for Tinky bike. Also, I know how to do customer validation, which I’ve never been taught at school. Now, I have one prototyped e-bike, and so far, people love it. Smartspark is a great program to join since it tells us everything we need to know for the early stage of our startup.” Kimhak, Founder of Tinky Bike. 

“We are very thankful to Smart and Impact Hub for hosting such a great event. We’ve learnt to improve our start-up, and we’re happy with the result. We hope that what we’re doing can have a significant impact on society. ” Bouky, Co-founder of SEPAK.

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